1908-07-23 — Page 1

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 15.

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THURSDAY, 23RD JULY, 1908.

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PRESENT :

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(Sir FREDERICK JOHN DEALTRY LUGARD,K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.).

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (FRANCIS HENRY MAY, C.M.G.).

,, the Colonial Treasurer, (LEWIS AUDLEY MARSH JOHNSTON).

,, the Registrar General, (EDWARD ALEXANDER IRVING).

,, the Harbour Master, (Comdr. BASIL REGINALD HAMILTON TAYLOR, R.N.).

,, Dr HO KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G.

,, Mr. WEI YUK, C.M.G.

,, Mr. HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK,K.C.

,, Mr. MURRAY STEWART.

,, Sir HENRY SPENCER BERKELEY,Kt., K.C.

ABSENT :

His Excellency the General Officer Commanding the Troops, (Major-General ROBERT GEORGE BROADWOOD, C.B.). The Honourable the Attorney General, (WILLIAM REES DAVIES,K.C.).

,, the Director of Public Works, (WILLIAM CHATHAM,C.M.G.).

,, Mr. HENRY ADOLPHUS WARRE SLADE.

The Council met pursuant to summons.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 2nd July, 1908, were read and confirmed.

FLOODS IN SOUTH CHINA.—His Excellency the Governor read a despatch from H.B.M.'s Acting Consul-General at Canton conveying the thanks of the Governor-General of the two Kuang provinces for the donation voted by the Council for the relief of the sufferers from the recent floods in the Kuang Tung and Kuang Si Provinces.

PAPERS.—The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers:—

Report of the Inspector of Schools for the year 1907.

Reports on the Health and Sanitary Condition of the Colony of Hongkong for the year 1907. Correspondence relating to the West River Floods.

FINANCIAL MINUTES.—The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Financial Minutes, (Nos. 33-38 and 40), and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee:—

F.D.LUGARD.

1906 C.S.O. The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Four thousand six hundred and seventy Dollars

No. 2831 of

($4,670) in aid of the vote, Public Works, Recurrent, Maintenance of Lighthouses.

Government House, Hongkong, 3rd July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD.

1908. The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Three hundred Dollars ($300) in aid of the vote,

No. 4869 of

Colonial Secretary's Department and Legislature, Other Charges, Incidental Expenses.

Government House, Hongkong, 3rd July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD.

I in

No. 3013 of 1906.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Eight thousand five hundred Dollars ($8,500) in aid of the vote, Public Works Extraordinary, Quarantine Station.

Government House, Hongkong, 4th July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD.

1908. The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Fifteen thousand Dollars ($15,000) in aid of the

No. 652 of

vote, Public Works, Extraordinary, Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, Compensation. Government House, Hongkong, 14th July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD.

1908. The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Two thousand Dollars ($2,000) in aid of the

No. 5158 of

vote, Botanical and Forestry Department, Other Charges, Forestry in New Territories.

Government House, Hongkong, 20th July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD.

1908. The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Five hundred Dollars ($500) in aid of the vote,

No. 5238 of

Medical Department, B.—Hospital and Asylums, Infectious Hospitals, Hospital Hulk Hygeia, for the

following items:—

Personal Emoluments.

Temporary Staff,.............................................................................. Other Charges.

Provisions, &c.,................................................................................

$ 200 300

Total,..............$ 500

Government House, Hongkong, 21st July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD.

1908. The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and eighty-six thousand five

No. 3432 of

hundred Dollars ($186,500) in aid of the vote, Public Works Extraordinary, Mongkoktsui Breakwater—Typhoon Refuge for Small Craft.

Government House, Hongkong, 22nd July, 1908.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Mr. POLLOCK, the Colonial Secretary and His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council in connection with the last minute.

Question—put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 2nd July, 1908, and moved its adoption. The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

QUESTIONS.—Mr. POLLOCK, pursuant to notice, asked the following question:—

With reference to the statement in paragraph 5 of the Despatch of the Officer Administering the Government to the Secretary of State, dated the 24th June, 1907, to the effect that "the great majority of the contributors, and all the directors, except the Chairman, were opposed to the transfer of the Fund", will the Government state whether any, and, if so, how many of the contributors, who were then opposed to the transfer of the fund, have given notice to the Government of any alteration of their views on the subject?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

Mr. STEWART considered the reply to the above question to also answer his and consequently withdrew the following question standing in his name:—

How the Government taken steps to ascertain the individual wishes of contributors to the Widows' and Orphans' Fund, with regard to the Government's proposal to take over that Fund; and , if so, will the Government inform the members of this Council how many subscribers are for and how many against that proposal?

EVIDENCE (COLONIAL STATUTES) AMENDMENT BILL.—The Colonial Secretary, in the absence of the Attorney General, moved the First reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Evidence (Colonial Statutes) Ordinance 1908.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSION BILL.—The Colonial Secretary addressed the Council and moved the Second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to provide for the Transfer to the Government of Hongkong of the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund and of the Management and Control of the Pensions of Widows and Orphans and to consolidate the laws in relation thereto.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Mr. STEWART,Mr. POLLOCK,the Colonial Secretary and His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council. Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

ADJOURNMENT.—The Council then adjourned until Thursday, the 30th July, 1908.

F.D.LUGARD,

Governor.

Read and confirmed, this 30th day of July, 1908.

C.CLEMENTI,

Clerk of Councils.